POPE EXPECTING TOUGH GAME

Striker warns we musn't get carried away with good start to the season

Vale striker Tom Pope believes that providing the squad can stay together this season, then there is no reason why the side can continue to do well.

Though he recognises there is a long way to go, the striker feels the atmosphere in the dressing room will help keep the lads playing well.

He said: “I think the spirit in our camp and the belief has always been there. Last season some people knocked the squad, but I think we are starting to show the togetherness we’ve got.

“The work rate and effort is there for all to see and it is starting to blossom now. With the wingers we have brought in during the summer, when they are on their game they will create chances and that’s exactly what they have been doing.

“We are not going to get carried away, it’s still very early days yet and you know despite being on a good run, it can quite easily turn into a bad run.

“We will keep our heads down, keep working hard, keep our togetherness and hopefully that will be enough at the end of the season.”

Netting eight times already this season, the Vale striker has benefited from a full pre-season fitness regime this time and believes he is now winning the doubters over.

Tom said: “I feel I am starting to prove my worth I the side and people are starting to see that I can score goals. The two goals I scored on Tuesday night at Fleetwood would probably gone over the stand last season.

“As a striker, when you are confident and your head is right, you always seem to find the top or bottom corner and that is what has happened so far this season.”

Saturday’s game will no doubt attract the headlines, even at this early stage of the season, but Tom knows that nothing has been achieved by either club yet.

Vale face strong opposition. Gillingham’s defensive record so far suggests Vale will find it more difficult to score goals, despite hitting 14 in their last three matches.

He said: “It is going to be difficult. I think every game is going to be difficult. If you don’t turn up well prepared and ready you will get rolled over.

“They are top and we are second, but it’s early days yet. Although we are very happy with the start we have made, we don’t want to get too carried away just yet.”